Page 30 of A Marriage for the Marquess (Barrington’s Brigade #1)
April 28, 1820
T he morning light filtered through the windows of Fairmont Abbey. Aunt Geraldine, Mrs. Murthy, and Juliet sat together, the remnants of last night’s discord hanging silently between them. Yet, there was work to be done and plans to be made. They could not afford the luxury of dwelling on regret.
With a collective breath, the three women leaned in, their voices a hushed murmur against the stillness of the room. The plan was simple yet bold. They would spread rumors of an impending announcement at the Aurington Gala. These whispers would not only draw the curious and the concerned but would also serve to unsettle Sebastian, ensuring his attendance.
Aunt Geraldine’s gaze was steady, her voice firm. “You’re doing the right thing, Juliet. It’s time the truth came to light.”
Juliet nodded, “I’m glad you agree. We only need a spark to ignite the curiosity of the ton .” Her mind raced with a variety of scenarios. “A carefully dropped hint here, a veiled suggestion there, and the gossip will circulate rapidly.”
“There is no time to lose. Monday isn’t far away.” Aunt Geraldine had paper and pencil ready in front of her.
“There are several less obvious places we could use to move the rumors quickly,” Mrs. Murthy offered. “The grocer’s wife is a reliable source. I could speak with her when I go to the market. She has nine children who are all in service. We won’t even have to ask for their help. Tell their mother the rumor, and the offspring will take care of the rest.”
“Do you know anyone in service for Lady Ashfield?” Juliet looked hopefully at Mrs. Murthy.
“Yes. Her housekeep makes a particularly tasty punch.”
Juliet tilted her head and tried not to smile, although she was quickly losing that battle.
“Would you like me to pass a particular rumor to that house?”
“Yes. I will share information with Lady Ashfield that there is something afoot at the gala, and her staff will give her more information.”
Aunt Geraldine glanced at Juliet. “That is a very good idea. A tease with additional information. Two sources will give the gossip more credibility.”
“Could we ask Duncan to make a mention to the Aurington staff?” Mrs. Murthy asked.
Aunt Geraldine stopped writing and glanced at her over the rim of her reading glasses.
“No. I think not. We’ll take care of this ourselves.” Juliet let out a breath. A dull ache still rose every time she thought about what she’d done. “We need to decide on the rumors and where we will plant our little gems.”
Juliet paced the room. She couldn’t be rash. She needed to think this through. “We need to be cautious,” she said to Aunt Geraldine and Mrs. Murthy. “We keep the rumor vague but enticing.” And consider Ewan and Duncan’s acceptance of what she writes.
Aunt Geraldine nodded. “I understand. This needs to be a delicate balance. What do you have in mind?”
“An unexpected event,” Juliet mused. “Something that promises intrigue but keeps the details shrouded in mystery. It needs to draw Sebastian out, make him believe he stands to gain.”
Mrs. Murthy’s eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. “And where shall we plant this seed of curiosity?”
Juliet took a deep breath, her smile widening with her decision made. “The London Chronicle’s gossip column. It reaches the eyes of everyone, including Sebastian.” She turned to her aunt. “Do you agree?”
“One minute.” The woman dipped her quill and wrote furiously. She crossed out a word or two and continued on. Finally, she put down the quill and blotted the paper. “Now, I’m ready.”
Juliet positioned herself in a chair. Mrs. Murthy next to her.
Aunt Geraldine lifted the parchment.
Dear Reader,
Prepare your carriages and your finest attire, for the whispers on the wind speak of an event not to be missed at Aurington Park. It is said that a revelation will take flight like a dove and will grace the halls of the Aurington estate, promising to leave the ton abuzz with anticipation.
Aunt Geraldine glanced up as Juliet and Mrs. Murthy nodded, encouraging her to go on.
“Please change dove to starling, if you will. The change will not go unnoticed. Duncan will know we’re involved in the rumor.”
Aunt Geraldine made the change and continued.
Dear Reader,
Prepare your carriages and your finest attire, for the whispers on the wind speak of an event not to be missed at Aurington Park. It is said that a revelation will take flight like a dove starling and will grace the halls of the Aurington estate, promising to leave the ton abuzz with anticipation.
The nature of this revelation remains shrouded in mystery, but one cannot help but wonder if it will shine a light on the shadows that have long danced at the edges of high society. Will it be a scandal unveiled or a triumph declared? Only the night of the gala will tell.
One thing is certain, my dear readers: every eye will be turned to Aurington Park, every ear straining to hear the secrets it might spill. Even the matriarch of the Glenraven family has been overheard expressing her intent to witness what promises to be the talk of the season.
So mark your calendars and prepare your whispers, for this spectacle promises to be as enchanting as it is enigmatic.
Yours in anticipation, The London Chronicle’s Society Scribe
“That’s brilliant. You have a real talent for gossip.” Juliet teased. “Next, I think one for Mrs. Murthy to help circulate would be good.”
“It should be about gems or something valuable that’s been found,” Aunt Geraldine said. “Possibly an heirloom. Everyone likes a mystery. What do you think, Mrs. Murthy?”
The housekeeper didn’t write anything down. She beckoned the others to come round her. They huddled in close. “Have you heard? A treasure once thought lost has been rediscovered. An item of no small significance, I heard, and it’s set to make quite a stir at the Aurington Gala.” She straightened up. “But, oh, don’t mind me. I’m just sharing a bit of harmless chatter.”
Juliet and Aunt Geraldine straightened, their jaw open. They glanced at each other and started laughing.
“You have your own talent, Mrs. Murthy. That is exactly what we need.” Juliet let out a heavy sigh. “We have one more.”
“Excuse me, Miss Juliet.” Mr. Wilcox entered the room. “This came for Lady Rosefield.” He handed Aunt Geraldine a message.
“Mr. Wilcox, have you heard? There is talk that an announcement of great consequences concerning the future of the Aurington estate will be made at the Aurington Gala. It’s all very hush-hush, but this revelation could shift the very foundations of London society. Why, anyone who’s anyone will want to be at Aurington Park on Monday to see what unfolds!”
“Indeed, Miss Juliet?” His eyebrow raised ever so slightly. “Such news is most…intriguing. It shall be interesting to see what transpires at the gala.” His tone remained neutral and gave away nothing of his personal thoughts as he left the women.
Aunt Geraldine rose putting the note in her pocket. “Your mother sends you her love. It’s a lovely day, and while we have attended to much-needed business, it would do us good to make our afternoon calls. Juliet, will you join me?”
Juliet glanced at Mrs. Murthy. “I have some errands to run. There’s the grocer, first on my list, then the modiste to gather your gown. I think the baker, too. And I’ll bring your article to the London Chronicle office. I best me on my way.”
*
Their strategy unfolded as they mingled among the guests at various social calls. Juliet’s casual remark to Lady Ashfield about an upcoming ‘surprise’ at the gala was met with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile. “Oh, what do you know?” Lady Ashfield urged, her interest piqued.
Juliet’s smile was mysterious. “Let’s just say that surprises may be afoot.”
After an afternoon of calls, Juliet and her aunt returned to Fairmont Abbey.
Mrs. Murthy brought the tea service into the drawing room.
“Thank you, Mrs. Murthy.” Aunt Geraldine glanced at the housekeeper as she poured tea. “How was your afternoon?”
“It was very interesting indeed. I handed in the article at the London Chronicle, and the clerk took it from me. I stopped for a moment when a gentleman rushed out of his office and demanded to know who gave him the note. The clerk looked around. ‘The woman must have left,’ he said. They were putting it into the next edition of the paper.”
Juliet and Aunt Geraldine smiled and sipped their tea.
“I made my stops along the way.” Mrs. Murthy poured herself a cup and joined them. “I think the Aurington Gala will be the talk of the dinner table above and below stairs.”
*
“My lord,” Sanderson stood at the library door. “Mr. Herbert from the London Chronicle to see you.”
Aurington glanced at Ewan and Duncan. “Are you expecting someone from the newspaper?” The two men shook their heads. Aurington turned to his butler. “Send him in.”
Mr. Herbert, a man of sharp eyes and sharper wit, entered the Aurington library with a respectful bow. “Your Grace, gentlemen,” he greeted.
“It is good to see you, Mr. Herbert. I may be a bit late, but I understand congratulations are in order. You’ve left the London Gazette for the Chronicle.”
“Thank you, my lord.” He bowed again. “That is very kind of you.”
“What brings you here?”
“We’ve received a curious note regarding your upcoming gala, and we seek your comment before publication.” He passed the note to Aurington, who read it and passed it on to Ewan.
Ewan took the note from the editor, his eyes scanning the words. The message spoke of an unexpected event, a revelation that would captivate all who attended the Aurington Gala. Yet, as he read, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Duncan, who had been silent, suddenly let out a hearty laugh, drawing curious glances from Ewan, Aurington, and Mr. Herbert. “What amuses you so, Duncan?” Ewan asked, a hint of irritation evident.
Duncan pointed to the word ‘starling’ within the note. “She’s telling you this is her work,” he explained quietly, still chuckling. “Who else but Lady Glenraven, your wife, would be so clever?”
Ewan’s eyes widened in realization, and he re-read the message with newfound understanding. “Clever indeed,” he murmured. “She wants to ensure the gala is well attended.”
The editor shifted uncomfortably, unsure of his role in this private revelation. “Shall I wait for your response, my lord?”
Ewan nodded, lost in thought. “Yes, wait, please.” He pondered aloud, “How will she know it’s me responding? I don’t want it to be obvious to everyone…”
Duncan, quick to offer a solution, suggested, “Refer to yourself as Falcon. She’ll know it’s you.”
Ewan nodded, a plan forming. He took up his quill and began to draft a response to be included in the morning edition of the Chronicle. When he was done, he shared it with Duncan and his father. They returned it to him, and he gave it to Mr. Herbert.
“To the Starling with secrets aplenty,
What game do you play with whispers so many?
The Falcon watches with keenest of eyes,
Awaiting the moment when surprise flies.
At the gala, amidst the grand scene,
Will the Starling reveal what her murmurs mean?”
“I would appreciate it if you had this in the morning paper.”
Mr. Herbert took the new article, a knowing smile on his face as he left to prepare it for publication.
“Do you want to tell me what that is all about?” his father asked.
“Have I told you, Father, that I’m married to a very clever woman?” Ewan and Duncan exchanged a look of shared conspiracy, united once more in their quest.
*
Juliet sat at the table with her breakfast, reading the morning edition of the London Chronicle. Their gossip had been posted in last night’s edition, and now they were eager to see if there was any mention of her rumors.
“What?” Tea splashed over her teacup that almost fell from her hand.
Aunt Geraldine lifted her head.
Juliet was still staring at the paper. “Have you seen the paper?”
“Are you speaking of the very well-written poem your husband had published just for you? If that’s what you’re referencing, then yes.” Aunt Geraldine stopped putting raspberry jam on her toast and glanced across the table at Juliet. “I did.” She tried not to smile and returned to her toast. “Well written and definitely romantic,” she said, biting into her toast.
Juliet re-read the poem. She could almost see his smile and mischievous eyes. “Yes. It is romantic.”